Wall construction



y 7, 1935, A. MINUTOLI 2,000,409

WALL CONS TRUCTION Filed May 16, 1933 ANDRE/l $55???) 0 HIS ATTORNEY Patented May 7, 1935 PATENT OFFICE a WALL CONSTRUCTION Andrea Minutoli, San Francisco, Calif. Application May 16, 1933, Serial No. 671,320 2 Claims. (01. 72-17) -My invention relates to building structures, and more particularly to a monolithic wall construction.

"It is among the objects of my invention to provide a wall construction which possesses a great inherent stability and at the same time is characterized by the presentation of a pleasing surface appearance. 1

A more specific object 'of. my invention is to provide a wall construction, presenting an attractivemonolithic composition over its exposed surface, yet in which the major stress-taking portion of the wall comprises ordinary concrete.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of my invention. It is to be understood that I do not limit myself to this disclosure of species of my invention, as I may adopt variant embodiments thereof within the scope of the claims.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view showing the reenforcing network preferably employed in the wall construction of my invention; the outer or facing layer of the wall being omitted in this view to show the reenforcing elements more clearly.

Figure 2 is a transverse vertical sectional view of my improved wall construction; and

Figure 3 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view of the same.

In terms of broad inclusion, the wall construction embodying my invention comprises an inner backing layer providing a major stress-taking wall, and a monolithic facing layer extending over the inner layer to which it is cementitiously bonded and providing a finish-taking outer wall. Suitable tie means are also provided for additionally binding the layers or walls together.

In greater detail, the wall construction embodying my invention comprises an inner or backing layer 2, preferably of a monolithic composition. This backing layer provides the major stress-taking portion of my wall construction, and may conveniently be of ordinary reenforced concrete. When this wall is poured, suitable metallic anchors 3 are embedded in the concrete. These anchors are preferably in the nature of U-shaped bars, as best shown in Figure 3, and are arranged so that the loop portions project outwardly from the face of the backing wall to provide eyes or hooks, as is also best shown in Figure 3.

The anchors 3 form a part of a reenforcing network which is built up over the face of the backing wall after the forms of the latter have been removed. This reenforcing structure preferably comprises a metallic fabric or mesh 4, held between the outer ends of the anchors 3 and the backing wall 2 by lock rods 5 passing through the eyes formed by a series of the anchors. Suitable wire ties 6 are applied to-retain the skeletal structure of mesh and lock rods in a plane substantially parallel to and spaced from the face of the backing Wall. Thus, the principal reenforcing elements 4 and 5 lie in one plane, with the anchor elements 3 extending transverse thereto.

While the rods 5 are shown in a vertically ex:

, also provides a mechanical tie between the facing layer 1 and the backing layer 2, in addition to the bond, which unites the two when the wall of my invention is properly constructed for the majoruses in which it is contemplated. The facing layer 1 is of monolithic composition, and provides the finish-taking portion of my improved wall construction. The aggregate employed in this outer wall is of a character which will present a pleasing finish. Among the aggregates which may be mentioned for this purpose are glass, granite or marble. I have employed a marble aggregate with a binder of calcium carbonate and silica with good results. Other monolithic compositions will of course suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, as adaptable for incorporation in the wall construction of my invention.

One of the best aggregates for the practice of my invention is made of travertine marble, because of its hardness, resistance to weathering, high porosity which facilitates its bonding with cement, and fine appearance.

The facing wall 1 is poured between the backing wall 2 and suitable forms provided for re-, taining the mix. While the outer wall 1 is being poured it is tamped or vibrated to insure a complete filling in about the reenforcing network and to prevent the formation of voids. By first thoroughly wetting the surface of the concrete backing wall 2, and treating it with neat cement in a manner well known to cement workers, the freshly poured mix comprising the facing wall 1 will form an adhesive bond with the backing wall, so that there results a single unitary monolithic structure of great strength, and with metallic reenforcement uniting the component parts and extending throughout the length and breadth of the facing layer. Such a wall shows no tendency, even under violent shock, to shed its facing layer. It is well known to architects and engineers that seismic disturbance of any severity generally dislodges wall facings of brick, stone, terra cotta and similar materials, no matter howcarefully the structure is built. Recent experiences in earthquake stricken cities amply demonstrates the futility of this inherently weak construction; and it is the provision of an inherently strong construction, suitable for use where earth shocks are to be expected, and adaptable over a wide range of artistic and structural values, that has prompted my present invention. My construction gives not only a facing wall adapted for an infinite variety of treatment, but in proportion to its thickness, directly adds to the stability and capacity of the backing or main wall structure, since the two components are in fact integrally united.

After the outer forms have been removed, the surface presented by the facing wall 1 may be finished in any suitable manner, such as by grinding, tooling, sand blasting, or the application of an acid wash. Since the material has .the characteristics of stone, it lends itself to a similar breadth of. treatment, both in architectural detail and to bring out its natural beauty of texture and color.

If desired, the surface of the backing wall 2 may be treated, as by painting, to prevent a bond forming between the monolithic walls, so that the outer wall is actually separate and independent of the inner wall, except for the mechanical tie provided by the reenforcing structure. Such a separation between the monolithic walls may be desired in the treatment of some structural problems, such as those presented by expansion and contraction in the wall construction.

Iclaim: I

1. A wall construction comprising an inner backing layer, a plurality of anchor means embedded in the backing layer and each extending outwardly therefrom to provide an eye, lock rods extending, through a series of eyes, a reenforcing fabric between the lock rods and the face of the backing layer, and a monolithic mass embedding the lock rods and fabric and contiguous to the backing layer.

2. A wall construction comprising a monolithic backing. layer, a plurality of U-shaped anchor means embedded in the backing layer and eachv embedding the lock rods and fabric and contiguous to the backing layer. 7

- ANDREA MINUTOLI. 

